What does the acronym 'MEP' stand for?

Okay, let's break down what an MEP actually is. The European Parliament is a really important part of the European Union's structure. Think of it like the UK Parliament, but on a European scale. It's made up of people elected from all the different countries in the EU. These elected officials represent their country's citizens and their interests within the EU. Now, each of these elected representatives is called a 'Member of the European Parliament'. So, 'MEP' is just a handy abbreviation for that title. It's important to remember that they are *members* representing their country, not ministers. Ministers usually hold specific positions within a government, whereas MEPs are elected representatives who participate in debates, propose amendments to laws, and vote on EU legislation. The European Parliament has been around in various forms since the 1950s, gradually gaining more power over time. So, when you see 'MEP', think of someone directly elected to represent their country in the European Parliament.